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Wrestling Camp - WMASG - 12-30-2025
Tuesday, August 15, 1961
In 1961, J. K. Rowling was four years short of being born. Had it been forty years later with her fourth book in publication, Benji would have related well to fourteen-year-old Harry Potter's experience in the Triwizard Tournament, competing against a group of seventeen-year-olds.
The rest of the twelve boys who stood around the wrestling mat were sixteen and seventeen. At five foot four inches and one hundred thirty-three pounds, Benji was dwarfed by most of them. Several had been there the year before, and their looks of surprise upon seeing Benji told him his presence at the three-day district wrestling camp was unusual. The surprise was always followed by a smile and a welcoming handshake though.
Benji knew one of the instructors, Coach Wilson, his eighth grade coach. The only wrestler he recognized was Eric's friend, Kojo. What he had in common with Kojo was best not mentioned in the current setting, so they simply acknowledged each other with a nod and a quick smile.
Benji was a last-minute replacement. His friend, Hunter, who was originally selected to be the team's representative, had been given a slot at a two-week-long, prestigious national wrestling camp. Hunter had encouraged their coach to send Benji to the district event in his place, even though there were several more-experienced candidates.
After consultation with Benji's parents and eighth grade coach, the high school coach had agreed. But, unknown to Benji, it had been a hard sell with others, including the high school athletic director and the college coach who directed the event.
Though apprehensive, Benji was delighted to be there. It seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime, and he was determined to make the most of it.
************
By the end of the first day, Benji's spunky attitude and small stature had earned him the nickname Scrappy, and the unofficial status of wrestling camp mascot. He'd picked up quickly on the situational wrestling instruction. During the drills, he'd demonstrated skill and determination that surprised everyone, including the instructors.
The second day during the warm-up running activity, he led the pack all the way. And by the time the daily drills were over, he'd successfully taken down and pinned two significantly heavier wrestlers.
Eating in a college dining hall and staying in a dormitory were two more new experiences. After the evening meals, the wrestlers gathered in the dormitory common room, where Benji made new friends. The second night, he sat down for a conversation with Kojo.
"I didn't know you're a wrestler."
Kojo nodded his head. "I wasn't until this year. Barry talked me into trying out, and somehow he got me selected for this training."
Benji smiled. "I'm surprised to be here too. My friend, Hunter, couldn't come so they sent me instead. Barry knows Hunter from the state tournament last year."
Kojo paused briefly. "Barry and Eric have both mentioned Hunter. I'm looking forward to meeting him sometime. Maybe at a volleyball game."
"Peter keeps me informed about Barry. Did he tell you they were neighbors when they were younger?"
"Barry told me, in sign language, of course. Peter told me that you and Hunter might play volleyball next year."
"We're planning on it. From what we saw, you guys have a lot of fun."
Kojo smiled. "We do, and you will too."
Benji thought back to what he'd learned at the retreat he attended at Conboy Lake. It was like they were talking in a code that no one else would understand. It was a way of life. They belonged to a private club with secrets that couldn't be shared.
************
That second evening, the wrestlers were allowed off-campus for a few hours. Arnold, the boy closest in size to Benji, and therefore his frequent training partner, suggested the two of them go to a movie. With limited choices nearby, they chose The Parent Trap, a recently-released Disney film. Benji, who didn't often go to movies, enjoyed the comedy. Arnold came out strangely subdued. Benji noticed.
"Something wrong, Tripod?"
It was a nickname the other boys used, apparently given to Arnold at some time in the past. Benji used it innocently, not yet understanding its significance.
"No, it's nothing."
Benji dropped the subject for a while as they walked towards the college campus. He could sense Arnold's increasing depression and spoke again.
"If it's nothing, why are there tears in your eyes?"
Arnold quickly wiped away the tears.
"My parents are divorced. I live with my dad. Like the girls in the movie, I'd do anything to get them together again."
Benji was quiet for a while.
"That's a tough one. I wish I could help you."
"I don't think anyone can."
They were approaching their dormitory. Benji took another approach.
"Wanna come to my room and talk about it? I'm a good listener."
Arnold thought for a couple of moments. He didn't often talk about his problem with his peers because most kids just blew him off. But he could tell Benji was different.
They talked for hours, well past the official lights-out curfew. Benji said very little - he just let Arnold unload his pain. When Arnold finally got up to go, Benji gave him a hug.
"It'll work out, I know it will."
With tears in his eyes, Arnold hugged Benji back.
"I hope so. Thanks for listening. Nobody else ever does that. You're different."
If you only knew how different.
"I'll see you in the morning."
As he turned off the light and got into bed, Benji thought about how fortunate he was to have a complete family, even a brother now. That made him think about Peter's former home life. He wished he could help Arnold like he had Peter, but Arnold's situation was much different.
************
The third day consisted of practice matches. With no other wrestlers in the 138-pound weight class, Benji would be wrestling Arnold. Though only four inches taller, Arnold's sixteen-year-old frame was more muscular, and he had two years of high school wrestling experience. As they faced off, the college wrestler who was acting as referee gave them some advice.
"Okay, this is for practice, guys, so have fun and don't try to kill each other. And Tripod, you've got a fifteen-pound advantage, so give Scrappy some slack."
Arnold's good humor had returned. He grinned wickedly.
"I don't think so. Scrappy already pinned me during drills."
Benji grinned back. "And I'm gonna do it again."
The ref slapped the mat, and Arnold quickly took Benji down. Benji just as quickly escaped, to the amusement of the young ref and the cheers and comments of the spectators.
"Scrappy's a wiry little bastard."
"I've never seen a kid as quick as he is"
"It's like trying to hold down a greased pig."
"He must run on pure adrenaline."
The two wrestlers circled each other, looking for an opening. Benji thumbed his nose at Arnold, earning laughter from the spectators and a warning from the ref.
"I said to have fun, but keep the behavior appropriate, Scrappy."
Arnold moved in, but Benji moved quickly behind him, as if he'd apparated. Arnold's second attempt produced the same result. The laughter was for Benji's technique, but the comments were impartial.
"Go Scrappy!"
"Keep your cool, Tripod. He's trying to throw you off balance."
"I think he's succeeding."
"Tripod went to state last year. He'll take him."
But that didn't happen. When Arnold moved in the next time, Benji grabbed his head and pulled it down. A surprise leg sweep put Arnold on his back, stunned. Before he knew what had happened, Benji had him pinned.
The spectators erupted with cheers. The two boys stood up with grins on their faces. The ref raised Benji's arm, indicating his win. Arnold grabbed Benji in a big hug, and then held him out to look at him.
"You're damned good, Scrappy. You'll go a long way. Just don't get too cocky."
Benji smiled happily. "Thanks a lot, Tripod. That means a lot coming from someone as experienced as you are."
************
Following dinner that evening, the camp director stood to make some announcements. After thanking the instructors for their assistance, and the participants for their attendance, he paused briefly to check his notes, and then looked up again.
"As most of you know, each year we award a trophy to the most inspirational participant - selected by you, the participants and instructors. This year, the vote was unanimous, with the exception of the recipient himself, of course. Benji, will you come up here and join me?"
Everyone rose and applauded as Benji walked to the head table and stood beside the director, and when he wiped away a tear of happiness, they cheered and applauded even more. The director smiled at Benji and continued.
"It's our practice to inscribe the recipient's full name on the trophy, so our engraver must have either misunderstood or delivered the wrong one." He inspected the trophy as if confused. "This one is for someone named Scrappy."
When the laughter subsided, he turned to Benji and shook his hand.
"Congratulations, Scrappy."
Flashbulbs went off as he presented the trophy, a statue of a wrestler standing in the neutral position. As Benji turned to leave, the director put a hand on his shoulder.
"Not so fast, Scrappy. I'm not finished."
After the laughter subsided again, he continued in a more serious tone.
"When Benji was suggested by his coach as a last minute replacement, I resisted. We'd never had an incoming freshman as a district wrestling camp participant, and I doubted the wisdom of doing so. Benji has demonstrated that my concerns were unwarranted. Thanks, Scrappy, for joining us this year. You're one in a million. I hope to be your coach when you select a college to attend."
As Benji returned to his seat, the group stood and applauded again, and slapped him on the back as he went by. As Benji had hoped, the three days had been the opportunity of a lifetime, a life-changing experience.
Dinner was followed by a party in the common room where the participants chatted with each other, shared wrestling advice, and laughed and joked about their recent experiences. A few of the boys were leaving after the party, but most were staying one more night. Since he was getting a ride home with Coach Wilson in the morning, Benji was among those staying.
As the evening activities came to an end, Arnold came over to give Benji another hug.
"Thanks for last night. You're a cool guy, Scrappy."
Benji put his arm around his new friend's shoulders.
"It was good to get to know you better."
Arnold pulled the younger boy close and whispered in his ear.
"Are you as scrappy in bed as you are on the mat?"
Taken by surprise, Benji hedged.
"What do you mean?"
Arnold smiled. "It's okay. I know Kojo very well, and he told me the three of us have something in common."
Benji smiled back, somewhat tentatively.
"Well, I'm glad I don't have a sign on my back that reveals my sexual identity."
Arnold chuckled. "So, how about it? I'm in the room in the basement. Do you wanna have a little fun?"
Benji hesitated. Other than staying up late to talk with Arnold, he'd carefully obeyed the rules. He didn't want to spoil his experience by getting caught having sex. Arnold smiled at him.
"Think about it, Scrappy. If you decide to come down, I'll be waiting for you. Don't bother to knock. Just come in. And one more thing."
"Yeah?"
The wicked grin from the day before appeared again. "I dare you to come in naked."